Chapter 3

My Best Friend Can See Him

Oliver's POV

"You're telling me someone is looking for you?"

Sebastian placed my phone on the kitchen counter. "I'm telling you someone knows about the watch."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

I examined the message again. "Maybe we should call the number." "No." "Why not?"

"Because we don't know who's behind it."

"That's usually why people investigate."

Sebastian gave me a tired look. "You're not very good at staying out of trouble, are you?" I laughed without humour. "You're the dead man in my kitchen. I think you've brought enough trouble for both of us."

I opened the message details and tried calling the number. A recorded voice informed me that the number was unavailable.

I tried again. Same result. "Fantastic. A mysterious stranger with a mysterious phone number. Very helpful."

"Put the phone away."

"Stop giving me instructions."

"Then stop doing things that might get you into trouble." I turned towards him. "You're worried about me?" He shrugged. "You're the one holding the watch." It wasn't exactly a declaration of affection, but I decided not to argue.

I put my phone down and walked to the refrigerator. "Do you want something to eat?" Sebastian looked at me. "Are you offering?" He asked. "I'm asking because I want to know whether I should hide my food." "Then yes."

I took out two sandwiches and placed them on the counter. Sebastian watched as I prepared them. "You always eat this late?"

"Only when a dead man interrupts my evening."

"You're welcome." I shook my head and handed him a sandwich. He took a bite and smiled. "That's good." "It's bread and cheese." "Still good."

I sat opposite him. For a moment, we ate in silence. Then Sebastian looked at me.

"Why did you invent a boyfriend?" I nearly choked.

"Excuse me?"

"Your mother. She asked about someone. You invented me." I put down my sandwich.

"Do you always ask personal questions while people are eating?"

"Only when I'm curious."

I considered ignoring him. Instead, I sighed. "My mother thinks I'm lonely. She keeps arranging introductions and asking when I'll settle down. I got tired of explaining that my love life isn't a family project."

"Have you been in love before?"

"That's a very personal question."

"You can refuse to answer." I studied him. His voice had lost its teasing edge. "Not really," I admitted. "I've dated people. I just haven't found anyone who made me feel like staying."

Sebastian nodded. "That's unfortunate."

"Thank you for your sympathy." "You're welcome."

I looked away before I could say something stupid. My phone rang. Noah. I answered immediately. "Please tell me you're calling to discuss something normal."

"Hello to you too. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." "That was convincing. Are you home?" "Yes." "I'm coming over."

I sat upright. "Wait. Why?" "Because I haven't seen you since yesterday, and you sounded strange on the phone earlier."

"I didn't sound strange."

"You sounded like someone had hidden a body in your apartment."

I glanced at Sebastian. He was calmly finishing his sandwich. "Don't come over."

There was a pause. "Now I'm definitely coming."

The call ended. I stared at my phone's screen. "What's wrong?" Sebastian asked.

"My best friend is coming." "Good. I would like to meet him." "No, you wouldn't." "Why?" "Because I haven't figured out how to explain you."

Sebastian leaned back. "Tell him the truth." I looked at him. "That you're a ghost?" "Yes." "Brilliant. I'll also tell him I've started talking to the kitchen furniture."

Sebastian laughed. A few minutes later, someone knocked. I opened the door to find Noah standing there with a takeaway bag. He stepped inside. "Peace offering. I brought food." "That's thoughtful." "You're welcome. Now, why did you sound like you were being interrogated?"

I closed the door. "Long story." Noah noticed Sebastian. His eyes moved from Sebastian to me. Then back to Sebastian.

"Oliver?" I swallowed. "Yes?" "Who's your friend?"

Sebastian stood up. "Sebastian Reed. Nice to meet you." Noah looked at him. Then he looked at me again. "Sebastian?" I nodded.

"The boyfriend?" He asked. I wanted the floor to open. "Yes."

Noah placed the takeaway bag on the table. "You're joking." "I wish I were."

Sebastian extended his hand. Noah stared at it before accepting the handshake. The moment their hands met, Noah went completely still. He released Sebastian and looked down at his own palm. Then he touched Sebastian's arm.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?" Noah stepped backwards. "Oliver, I need you to explain something."

"That's what I've been trying to do." "He's real?" "Apparently."

Noah turned to Sebastian. "Can you hear me?" Sebastian smiled. "Unless you've suddenly become invisible, yes." Noah looked at me again. "You're telling me this man is your dead boyfriend?" "He's not my boyfriend!"

Sebastian glanced at him. "He's a little embarrassed." "No, I'm a little surrounded by madness!" Noah dragged a chair away from the table and sat down. For once, he had nothing funny to say. "Wait. If he's dead, how can I touch him?"

Sebastian looked at the pocket watch on the counter. "I think it's because of that." I followed his gaze. "The watch?" He nodded. "I don't understand it yet. But as long as it's anchoring me, I can interact with the living." "Everyone?" Noah asked. "I don't know." 

That answer made the room quiet. I picked up the watch and slipped it into my pocket.

"Then we'd better find out what it does before someone else comes looking for it.”

Noah stood. "Someone else?" I showed him the anonymous message. He read it twice. His face crumbled. "Oliver, who sent this?" "I don't know." "And you didn't think to tell me?" "I've had a busy evening!"

Noah handed the phone back. "You're not dealing with this alone." Sebastian watched him.VFor the first time that evening, he wasn't smiling.

I looked between them. My best friend had just discovered that my imaginary boyfriend was a ghost. Someone unknown was demanding the watch, and I had no idea what would happen if I handed it over. But one thing was becoming clear.

Sebastian wasn't just visible to me. Anyone could see him, as long as the watch kept him here.